Bumper to Bumper Podcast

Is your car getting worse gas mileage than it used to? Before assuming something is wrong, there are a few things every driver should check. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle explain what actually causes poor fuel economy, how to accurately calculate your MPG, and when a drop in gas mileage is serious enough to have your vehicle inspected. Follow Bumper to...

Is your Ford F-150 10-speed transmission shifting hard, jerking, slipping, or acting strange? Before you approve a $10,000 transmission replacement, watch this episode. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, transmission experts Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle explain the most common problems with the Ford 10R80 transmission found in the Ford F-150, Ford Mustang, Ford Expedition, and other Fo...

Have you ever asked an auto repair shop, "What's your hourly rate?" According to Dave and Jon, that might be the wrong question. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, we break down how most automotive technicians are paid and why it can directly impact the quality of your repair. From flat-rate pay systems to technician incentives, overselling, warranty work, cutting corne...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down why many manufacturers claim transmissions have lifetime fluid, why that claim can be misleading, and what transmission builders actually see in the real world. From BMW and ZF transmissions to Toyota marketing tactics and modern CVTs, we cover what every car owner should know before skipping transmission mainte...

Most radiator hoses DON’T need replacing at 80k miles. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave and Jon break down why modern coolant hoses last far longer than most people think and how unnecessary hose replacements can actually create new problems. We explain:Why factory spring clamps matterHow modern hose materials changed everythingWhen hoses actually need replacementWhy shops sti...

Does changing your air filter actually improve gas mileage? In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down one of the biggest automotive myths and explain why modern fuel-injected vehicles don’t work the way most people think. From fuel economy misconceptions to over-serviced air filters, they explain what actually affects MPG and what shops may be overselli...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave and John from Tri-City Transmission & Auto Repair in Tempe, Arizona break down a costly and often overlooked issue: glycol contamination in automatic transmissions. What happens when your cooling system and transmission system mix? It can lead to serious damage and in many cases, a full transmission replacement We cover:What glycol contamin...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave and Jon break down one of the biggest questions drivers have: Can you actually trust your technician? They dive into the difference between dishonesty vs. lack of competency, why some diagnoses go wrong, and how customers can protect themselves when dealing with auto repair shops. If you’ve ever felt unsure at a shop or worried about getting ta...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down one of the most feared (and expensive) car problems: transmission issues. But there’s good news. Many drivers assume their transmission is failing when the problem might actually be something much simpler. Dave and Jon share real shop experiences explaining why 70% of the time people think they need a transmissi...

Many cars today have plastic belly pans and undercovers protecting the underside of the vehicle. Most drivers don’t realize how important they actually are. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down why these plastic shields exist, what happens when they’re missing, and how something as small as a $45 piece of plastic can cause major problems if ignored...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and John Riggle from Tri-City Transmission & Auto Repair break down the real signs of transmission problems and the common symptoms people misinterpret. Before you assume you need a brand-new transmission (and a massive bill), this episode explains what to watch and listen for. We Cover:What does it mean if your car won’t move when p...

In this episode, Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down one of the most common (and frustrating) problems drivers face: mysterious car noises. From wheel bearing hums and brake squeals to suspension pops, motor mount vibrations, and drivetrain howls. We explain what these sounds usually mean, how to describe them to your mechanic, and when a noise is just annoying versus when it’s a serious safety...

A customer brought in a 2012 Mini Cooper with wind noise. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and John Riggle break down how professional technicians diagnose hard-to-find vehicle noises and what drivers should realistically expect from the repair process. They cover:Why noise diagnostics are some of the hardest problems in auto repairHow tools like smoke machines and ther...

Confused about new vs remanufactured vs rebuilt transmissions ? You’re not alone — and this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast clears it all up. In this episode, Dave Riccio and John Riggle break down the real differences between new, rebuilt, remanufactured, reconditioned, and recycled transmissions , and explain why these terms are often misleading or loosely defined in the automotive indus...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, professional mechanics Dave Riccio and Jon Riggle break down the top 5 do-it-yourself car maintenance projects and explain which repairs actually make sense to tackle at home and which ones can get you into trouble. We cover common DIY auto repairs like oil changes, brake jobs, sensors, wiper blades, bulbs, and air & cabin filters, while sharing...

In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, Dave Riccio and John Riggle break down one of the most misunderstood topics in auto repair: OEM vs aftermarket parts. From shocks and struts to belts, hoses, mounts, and more, we explain:Why replacing parts too early can actually hurt your carHow “quick struts” and one-size-fits-all parts ruin ride qualityThe real differences between OEM, OES, genui...

Are CVT transmissions really as bad as the internet says? 🤔 In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast , Dave and John break down the truth behind CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) failures - especially in vehicles like Nissan, Subaru, Toyota, and Honda. From misunderstood driving feel to misdiagnoses that lead to unnecessary $8,000 transmission replacements , the guys explain how CVT...

In this episode of Bumper to Bumper , Dave and John break down the most common—and most misunderstood—diagnostic trouble code in modern vehicles: EVAP system faults. From gross leaks and small leaks to why replacing the gas cap often doesn’t fix the problem, we explain how evaporative emissions systems actually work, why these codes get ignored, and what drivers (and DIYers) should know before cle...

Can mismatched tires really destroy your all-wheel drive system? The short answer: yes — and it happens more often than drivers realize. In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast , automotive experts Dave Riccio and John Riggle explain how replacing only one or two tires on an all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicle can lead to serious and expensive damage to the transfer case . Using real shop exampl...

Ever wonder what your mechanic really sees when they plug in that scan tool? On this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast , Dave Riccio and John Riggle break down one of the most misunderstood topics in auto repair: scan tools, diagnostic codes, and what actually goes into figuring out what’s wrong with your car. They explain why a scanner doesn’t magically “tell you the problem,” why live data...

When the check engine light pops on, it can feel like the technician is speaking a different language. In this episode, Dave and John break down one of the most common — and most confusing — concepts in modern auto repair: fuel trims . We’re talking what they are, why they matter, and how they can reveal what’s really going on under your hood. You’ll learn: What “lean” and “rich” codes actually me...

Dave Riccio and John Riggle are back with a public service announcement every GM truck owner needs to hear. This week, they’re breaking down a common failure in the 6L80 transmission — the thermal bypass valve — and why this small part can lead to major transmission damage if ignored. They explain how to spot the bad valves, what years are affected, and the difference between the original and rede...

Is a transmission service the fix your car needs—or can it make things worse? In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, hosts Dave Riccio and John Riggle dive deep into one of the most common questions drivers have: “Will a transmission service fix my car?”We break down:When a transmission service can actually solve issues (like torque converter shudder on Chevy Colorados).When it won’t hel...

Can your car go 200,000+ miles? Spoiler: yes, if you treat it right. Host Dave Riccio with Tri-City Transmission and Auto Repair sits down with Spencer Doucet, owner of H&I Automotive with 3 locations (Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek, AZ), to talk modern vehicle longevity, the “maintenance mindset,” and why a well-cared-for 150k-mile ride can beat a neglected 80k “jalopy.”  Dave and Spenser have be...

om Washing Cars to Owning 3 Shops: Spencer's Journey in the Auto Repair World 🚘 In this episode of the Bumper to Bumper Podcast, host Dave Riccio sits down with Spencer Doucet, Owner of H & I Automotive, to explore his incredible journey from washing cars at a dealership to owning three successful auto repair shops. Spencer Doucet, a regular guest on the Bumper to Bumper Radio show on 92....